Water-level indicator



Aug. 21, 192s. d

Rl E. WHITE WATER LEVEL INDICATOR,

Viiv

f n' www@ Aug. 21, 1928. 1,681,452

R. E. WHITE WATER LEVEL INDICATOR Filed June 5, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 V A. x Q.

Aug; 21, 192s. 1,681,452

R. E. WHITE WATER LEVEL INDICATOR Filed June 5, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 2l', 1928.

N UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE.

RAYMOND E. WHITE, or NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, Assieivon To STEAM VEHICLE CORPORATION OF AMERICA, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

WATER-LEVEL INDICATOR.

Application filedJune 3, 1925. Serial No. 34,597. i

The invention in general relates to` improved Water level indicators. More specifi cally, my vinvention has reference to an improved Water feed regulating system which 6 provides indicating mechanism, Which may e placed at a point remote from the boiler itself, as, for example, on the dash oit a steam vehicle, and the changes in level of the Water Within the boiler be accurately indicated by the indicatingmechanism. Although the present invention is particularly useful in connection with steam vehicles, it is, of course, to be understood that it may be used to equal advantage in any type of steam plant. In practice, experiments and developments are being constantly made with a view ot' providing a more ei'iicient control of the Water level in a steam boiler. Those familiar With the present art know hovv important it is that the Water level in a boiler` be under control at all times in order for the most etlicient opera tion of the steam plant of which the boiler is a component. Then, too, it is Well known that in order to preclude the possibility of damage to the steam plantl by-the bursting of the boiler, it is absolutely necessary that accurate indicatingr means be provided for at all times in forming the attendant as to the level of the Water Within the boiler, so as to enable Kthe admission of Water into the boiler to be controlled manually, should the automatic mechanism of the system fail to function properly. l The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of and appa-` `ses ratus for at all times indicating the level ofi n With water, and the upper' unit is filled with the Water Within a boiler.

` In the present invention the theory upon which the Whole control system operates, including the indicating mechanism, is that the rate ot heat transmission from condensing steam or vapor in general to a conducting body is much greater than from liquid at the same temperature to the same conducting body. That is to say, theco-eliicient of heat transfer of condensing steam to a given body is greater than the co-eiiicient of heat transfer of Waterto the same body, even though the two are at the same temperature.

In accordance with the present invention I provide an external loop or connection between the steam space and the Water space of the boiler. The Water in this loon assumes heatfar more rapidly from the steam illed 'portion because that portion Will always be maintained at substantially the temperature of the steam due to 'fresh steam flowing in to replace that which condenses. Hence the Water at the Water level in this external loop will always be at a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the steam at a given pressure.` VThe Water from that point back to the Water space of the boiler decreases in tem-` perature due to radiation of heat as itmoves back to the boiler.

I place at a suitable point in the Water space of the loop a temperature sensitive element which may now `be graduated in terms of Water level, because the closer the Water level in said loop is to the element, the hotter Will be the Water as it arrives at said` element. Since the rate of circulation of the Water in said loop is a function oi' the rate at which heat is lost by radiation, atmospheric changes in temperature for practical purposes are im# material.

In the preferred form ot my invention, I place the temperature responsive element of the Water level indicator in the return circuit of the Water level control automatics -Which comprise a pair of Water feed regulating units so positioned with respect to the boiler that for normal Water level the lower unitis filled steam. Both otthese units control the admission of Water into the boiler proper. Each of the units isequipped with la heat sensitive element which is adapted to expand when steam kis applied thereto. In other 'IISY Cil - terms of Water level.

thereto by the boiler water is not great enough to cause it to expand. That is to say, the part of the Water supply associated With the lower unit is normally disconnected from the boiler and connected to a Water reservoir.

lrVhen the Water level in the boiler sinks to such a point that steam is permitted to enter the lower unit, the heat element of the said lower unit expands, to connect the other part of the water supply with the boiler, so as to bring the level of the Water within the boiler up to normal again, whereupon said supply is again disconnected therefrom.

In the present invention, the indicating l units are thermally controlled, i. e., temperature responsive devices and each includes a heat sensitive element which expands with variations of temperature imparted thereto. One of the indicating units is graduated in The other unit which also responds to changes in the tei'nperature of the Water with which it is in contact, as will more fully appear as the description progresses, operates a visual signal i. e., a lamp corresponding to low Water level when the `temperature exceeds a predetermined amount.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention Will more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a Water feed control system embodying the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional of the water regulating units;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; y f Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 6-G of Fig. 1, illustrating in detail one of the indicating units;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the principle involved in the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the Water level indicating gauge and its heat sensitive element. Y

Referring nonT to the drawings in detail, in which like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views, 10 denotes awater reservoir which may be of any suitable or usual construction. The reservoir 10 is connected by a` pipe 11 to a condenser, not shown, whichmay be also of any suitable type. A pump 12 is connected by a suction line 13 with the reservoir 10. The pump is adapted to pump water through two Water lines 14 and 15,- which terminate in check valves 16 and 17, respectively.

view of one These valves, as shown, are preferably of the ball valve type and are adapted to prevent the steam from escaping from the boiler when the supply of water is disconnected therefrom. For safety sake it is always customary to furnish each boiler with two water feeds in order to avoid accidents, should one of the feeds get out of order.

The check valves 1G and 1T are mounted in a pipeline 18 which is connected to a boiler 19. The end 20 of the pipe 1S preferably extends dovrn into the boiler a considerable distance below the lowermost level to which the Water may, at any one time, drop to. 'lhe boiler 19 is equipped with three gauge cocks 2l, which may be used to ascertain the water level in the boiler in case of emergency, as is Well known to those familiar with the present art.

The pipe line 1&1 is connected intermediate itsy ends to a pipe line 22, connected to a water feed regulator, denoted generally by refer ence numeral 23, which ywill be more fully dcscribed hereinafter. The line 15 is connected intermediate its ends to an end of a pipe 2l, which terminates at its other end in a water feed regulator 25, positioned above the regulator 23. Positioned in the pipe line 22 is a hand controlled valve 2G which may be of any usual type, and positioned in the line 24 is a similar hand valve 2T. These hand valves are adapted, in case ot' emergency, to be used to disconnect either of the lines 111 and 15 from the regulating units 23 and 25.

Referring now to Fig. 2, I have illustrated on an enlarged scale and in section one ofthe water feed regulators. Inasmuch as the regulators 23 and 25 are identical in construction, a description of one will sullice tor the other. The regulator includes a pair of dist ance rods and 31, which are disposed in a parallel relationship. The rods are spaced a given Sli lue

distance apart and terminateat one end in a base member 82. One end of the rod 30 is mounted in a portion of the member and is held in place by a pair of lock nuts 34. Similarly, one end ot' the rod 31 is mounted in a portion of the member 32 and is held in place by lock bolts 35. The member 32 is equipped with a longitudinal aperture' 36, threaded at both ends. The member 32 in reality may be termed a coupling, if it is so desired.

The other ends of the rods 30 and 31 extend through apertures 40 and 41, respee tively, ot' a movable coupling member 42. Threaded onto the rod 30 contiguous with the member l2 is a lock nut 42', and similarly threaded on the rod '31 is a lock nut 43. Threaded on the extreme end of the rod 3 is a nut LLlaud threaded on the extreme end of the rod 31 is a nut 45. Ilncirclimir theV threaded portion of the rod 30 intermediate the tace of the nut 44- andthe face ot the member 42 is a spring 46, and likewise surroundllll ' level line pass between them.

becomes apparent when the Water falls or sinks to a level beyond which it is considered unsafe for the 4Water to drop.

The operation of they above described system is as follows:

lVater is pumped from the reservoir 10 by the pump 12 through the pipe lines 1l and 15. The hand valves QG and 27 are normally open, thereby permitting the water in the pipe lines to enter pipes 22 and 2.1L which discharge into the water regulators 23 and 25. It should be noted that the water regulators 23 and 25 are disposed in such a position as to have the extension of the normal Water This line is indicated Aby a dotted line in Figure 1. Af: a result, water from the boiler flows through pipe 81 into tube 51 ot the lower regulator Q23, but does not rise suliieiently high enough to enter the tube 51 ot' the regulator 25 when everything is normal. On the other hand. steam from the boiler 19 enters the pipe SO which communicates with the apertures or bores 50 ot' the members itl ol3 each ol the regulators. Inasmuch as tube 51 is already tilled with boiling water, the steam only enters the tube 51 of the upper regulator 23. Each of the tubes 51 are adapted to expand at a predetern'iined temperature. In the present case. the boiling Water hasnt enough heat r B. t. u. to cause the tube to expand to a very great extent, but the steam has a great enough amount ot heat to cause either one or both ot' the tubes to expand. That is to say, upon the steam entering the tube l. it tends to immediatelyv condense. The heat ot the condensation plusthe heat yot' vapori/.ation is suliicient to cause the tube to completely expand. The tube 51, in expanding, causes, through the valve stem 60, the valve oi the regulator 25 to be closed. ln other Words, in moving the .stem (lll, the half-ball G2 is seated in its seat G3 in the plug 53.

By closing the valve of the upper regulator 25, the Water in the. pipe 21 cannot enter the pipe 75 which discharges into the reservoir 10. This results in the Water in the pipe line 15 being pumped up through the check valve and `pipe 18 into the top of the boiler 19. The check valve 17 is. of any suitable construction and adapted to open upon water pressing against. it on one side to permit the water to ent-er the boiler, but prevents any steam 'from escaping from the pipe line 18, through the pipe 15.

Thus, from the foregoing, it will be seen that normally when the Water level is safe, ivater is being pumped into the boiler 19 by the pump 12 through one of the pipes 15. The Waterpin pipe line 14, previously mentioned, passes through a hand valve 2G into the pipe line 22 which enters one end of the lower water regulator 23 through the plug seat 53 thereof. Since the tube 51 of this lower regulator 23 is normally in an unex panded position, the valve of this regulator is open, thereby permitting the Water from the pipe line 22 to enter the bore 70 which is eonnected to pipe 76 discharging into the top of the condenser, not shown. That is to say, the vater in the pipe liue 14, when things are normal, does not get to the boiler at all, but through the medium of the lower regulator Q3 is diverted into the condenser (not shown), where it may be utilized 'for cooling the condenser. The condenser discharges at its bottom into the pipe line 11 which communicates with the reservoir 10.

Should the water in the boiler drop t0 a. level which is below the tube 51 of the lower regulator Q3, naturally the water would not enter the tube 51, but would stand at the same level in the pipe 81, as the water is Within the boiler. Steam, however, would then be permitted to ent-er both of the tubes 51 from the pipe 80. This would result in the lower tube 51 expanding in the same Way as was de scribed inthe case of the lirst tube 51. The valve ol' the lower regulator would then be closed, thereby disconnecting the pipe line 20 from the pipe line 76 and resulting in the Water in `the pipe 14: passing through the check valve 16 into the pipe 18 and boiler 19. lVhen the level of the water in the boiler was again at a sutliciently high level to fill the tube 51 of the lower regulator 23, its valve would open, thereby connecting the pipe 22 with the pipe 76 again.` and cuttinfr olf the additional water supply from the boiler. Regulators 23 and Q5 are thus enabled to, at all times, automatically control the level ot' the Water Within the boiler.

Referring now to Figure 2 again, it should be noted that the member 48 of each of the regulators is permitted t0 reciprocate on the rods and 31 With the expansion and contraction of the tube 51. When the tube 51 contracts, the springs 46 and 47, naturally willV expand. On the other hand, when the tube 51 expands, the springs 46 and 4:7, will be compressed. These springs aid in returningthe tube 51 to its unexpanded or contracted position. The rods 30 and 31 are adjustable through the medium ot lock nuts and and springs 46 and 47 may also be adjusted through the medium of nuts 44 and 45.

I shall now proceed to describe in detail the operation of indicating' units 82 and 90. In order to make clear the operation of these units, I have illustrated diagrammatically, in Figure 7 the actual conditions involved. The regulators 23 and 25 afford considerable radiating surface for the fluid contained therein. When normal conditions exist, the water in the pipe 81 will extend clear up to the dotted extension line indicated in Figure 1. This line. as previously mentioned, is an extension of the normal Water level line of the Water within the boiler. It is well known taken up by 'in thel regulators. 'upon coming into contact with the water imthat when water changes into steam, it takes up an additional amount of heat known as heat of vaporization. Naturally when steam condcnses. this additional amount etl liti-:rt will be given ofi'. This heat of vaporization may be veryieasily imgiarted into any adjacent body such as the tubes 5 1. As previously mentioned, the heat of vaporization is im` parted to the tubes 51 to cause them to expand.

In order for the steam to con dense, itis, ot course, necessary that it have suitable radi ating surface. 1n the present invention, the radiating surface is provided through the medium of the regulators 23 and Q5. The steam,upon entering the tube 51 of the upper regulator 25 in the` pipe 81, readily condcnses. Likewise, the boiler water in the regulators and pipe 81 is also cooled by the radiation of heat theretron'i. Now, since the steam and condensate above theu water is, at all times, hotter than the water, heat will be impartedv to the water. I The amount ot heat the water in this manner, ci course, depends upon the amount of steam condensing, or in other words, the greater' the radiating surface atfordcd the steam, the greater will be the `amount of steam' condensed.f

As the water rline drops within the boiler;v so does thev water in the regulator drop, permitting more steam to enter the regulators and the pipe 81, thereby bringing the steam temperature down closer to the point 82 resulting in a higher temperature at 82. On the other hand, as the water rises, less steam is permitted to enter the regulators, resulting in less heat being imparted to the water or fluid matter in the pipe 81 and also affording a greater radiating surface for the hot water. These'variations in transmission ot heat react upon the nitrogen or othertluid matter within the plug 84 and the tube 85 which, in turn, operates the dial of the gauge 86 in a well known manner.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that due to the radiating surface afforded the boiling water in the pipe 81 and water feed regulators, the temperature of this water will, under normal conditions, be considerably lower than that of the steam condensate with- Therefore. the condensate parts heat thereinto, The greater the amount fof condensate, the greater will be the amount of heat imparted tothe water. Then, too,

'the condensate upon joining the adjacent -water causes the water in the pipe 81 to move towards the boiler. That is to say, the condensing steam sets upa circulation in the same manner as in tlieicase of water glass gauges, as is well known to those familiar wwith the present art. By ascertaining the temperature of the water in the pipe 81. when the Water level `is normal, it=is possible to thereafter indicate the variations in water level through the variations in heat since the water in the pipe 81 becomes hotter as the water level drops and cooler as the water level rises. I, in reality, employ the water in the pipe 81 as a conduction medium, the variations in heat ot which control the indicating units 82 and 90. The-hotter thewater in pipe 81 becomes, ythe more the fluid in plug and pipe 85 will expand, since the amount ot expansion thereof is proportional to the variations in temperature ot' the said heat sensitive iuid. Instead of employing a gauge graduated in terms of temperature, I employ one graduated in terms of water level. The terms I employ, as shown in Fig. 8, are high, normal, and low, which denote corresponding conditions of the water in the boiler.

Should the steam, at any time, completely till the tube 51 of the lower regulator 23, the heat imparted into the boiling water in the 'pipe 81 will be great enough to cause the dial ot the gauge 86 to swing over to indicate the low water level. That is to say, the dial of the gauge will point at the term low thereon. l i

The variations ,in heat in the water inthe pipe 81 react uponthe mercury 'in the tube 107 (Figure 6) in muehthe same manner as they do upon the nitrogen plug 84. This tube 107 is so constructed that when steam com# pletely enters thevlower tube 51 of the regulator 23, the mercury within the tube will ei:- pand due to the increase in temperature of the water in pipe 81 to contact both ot the points 108 and 109, thereby closing the circuit 92, and causing the light 93 to be lit. This forcibly attracts the attention ofthe attending operator, to warn him that the water in the boiler is at the lowest level it should be permitted to go. Obviously, by varying the distance between the points 108 and 109, the level at which the lamp will light can be varied.

In case that either of the regulators 23 or 25 fail to 'function or becomeV inoperative Jfor some reason or other, the hand valves 271er 26 may be operated to connect or ndisconnect the pipe lines 14 and 15 witlrthe boiler, as the case may be. These valves 26 and 27 are really for use incase of emergency. Moreover, if it were not .for the light 93 and the gauge 86, the operator would have no way of other than the cocks v21,0n the face of the boiler.

may be forcibly acquired by the lamp 93 when the level sinks below a point which is considered safe.

Although I have disclosed nitrogen as be ing the preferable medium in the case of the indicating unit 82 and mercury in the case of the indicating unit 90, I desire it understood that any other suitable heat sensitive fluid may be employed in place thereof.

Although I disclose the preferred embodiment of my control system, I desire it understood that my invention is not to be limited thereby, but only in so far as defined by the scope and spirit ot the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a boiler having steam space and water space, a connection between the said spaces including a radiating surface for cooling the water and steam in the said connection, the steam in the said connection upon condensing being adapted to impart heat to the cooled water in the said connection, and means responsive to the heat of the water in the said connection for indicating the approximate level of the water within the boiler.

2. In combination, a boiler having steam space and water space, a connection between the said spaces externally' of the boiler including a radiating surface, the water within the connection being the same level as that of the water within the boiler, the wat-er and steam in the said connection being cooled through the said radiating surface, and means associated with the said connection responsive to the heat of the water within the said connection for indicating the approximate level of the water within the boiler.

3. In combination, a boiler having steam space and water space, a connection between the said spaces including a radiating surface for cooling the water andsteam in the said connection. the steam in the said connection upon condensing being adaptedtoimpart heat to the water therein, the water in the connection being at the same level as the water in the boiler, and means including a thermal sensitive element responsive to the heat of the water in the said connection for indicating the level of the water in the boiler.

.4. In combination, a, boiler having steam space and water space, a'connection between the said spaces externally of the boiler, a radiating surface in the said connection for cooling` the water and steam in the said connection, the steam in the said connection upon lcondensing being adapted to impart heat to the cooled water, and means including an element containing a thermal sensitive fluid asso eiated with the said connection below the normal level of the water in the boiler and responsive to the heat of the water therein for indicating the approximate level of the water within the boiler.

5. In combination, a boiler having a steam space anda water space, a connection between the said spaces including a radiating surface for cooling the water and the steam in the said connect-ion, the steam in the said connection upon condensing being adapted to iinpart heat to the cooled water, and means 1ncluding aV thermal sensitive element respon sive to the heat of the water in the connection for indicating the level of the water 1n the boiler, said element being disposed in the lower part ot the connection externall of the boiler and intermediate the water evel of the boiler and the bottom ot the boiler.

6. The method of measuring and indicating water level in a boiler` which consists in connectine the water and steam spaces of the boiler, coozling the water and steam in the said connection causing the steam in the connection to condense, imparting heat from the condensed steam to the cooled water in the connection, and causing the heat imparted to the water in the connection by the steam to indicate the approximate level of the water in the boiler.

7. The method of measurin and indient ing water level in a boiler which consists in connecting the water and steam spaces of the boiler, cooling the water and steam within the said connection, condensing the steam therein, causing the resultant condensate to impart heat to the cooled water, and causing the heat imparted to the water in the connection, to operate an indicator graduated in terms of the level of the water within the boiler.

8. The method of indicating water level in a boiler which consists in connecting the water and steam spaces of the water, cooling the water and steam in the said connection,

causing the steam in the connection to condense, imparting heat from the condensed steam to the cooled water in the connection, causing the heat imparted to the water in the connection by the steam to indicate the approximate level of the water in the boiler, and operating a signal whenever the level of the water within the boiler drops below a predetermined amount.

9. The method of indicating water level in a boiler which consists in connecting the water spaces of the boiler, cooling the water and steam in the said connection, condensing the steam in the connection, causing the resultant condensate to impart heat to the cooled water in said connection, causing the heat imparted to the water in the connection to control the operation of an indicator graduated in terms of the level of the water within the boiler, and operating a signal by the heatof the water in the connection whenever the temperature thereof exceeds a predetermined amount to indicate that the water level in the boiler has dropped below a predetermined amount.

10. Themethod of indicating when the water within the boiler' has dropped below a safe level, which consists in connecting the water and steam spaces of the boiler, cooling the water and steam in the said connection, causing the steam in the said connection to be condensed, imparting heat from the condensed steam to the cooled water in the connection, and utilizing the heat imparted to the water by the condensed steam to operate a signal whenever the heat exceeds a prede termined amount to attract the attention of an operator.

11. In combination, a boiler having steam space and water space, a connection between the said spaces, signalling means, Vand heat sensitive means associated with the said connection below the water level in the boiler actuated by the heat conducted thereto from the said water andl steam in the connection for operating the signalling means whenever the heat imparted tothe water exceeds a pres determined amount.

12. The method of indicating Water levels in boilers consisting in, establishing communication between the steam and Water spaces of the boiler, cooling the steam and causing it to impart its heat of vaporization to the water, and indicating variations in temperature in the water in terms of Water level in the boiler. Y

13. The method of indicating water levels in boilers consisting in, subjecting a water column to the direct action of a superimposed steam column, varying the volume of steam in said steam ,column in accordance with variations in 4the water level in the boiler, cooling the steam of the steam column and causing it to impart its heat of vaporization to the water oi said Water column, and indicating variations in temperature in the water of the water column in terms of water level in the boiler. l

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 27th day of May, 1925.

RAYMOND E. WHITE. 

